New Exhibition ‘Iconic Costumes of the Irish Silver Screen'

Today marks an historic Irish cinematic moment as the Museum of Style Icons at Newbridge Silverware proudly unveils its latest exhibition, "Iconic Costumes of the Irish Silver Screen." This extraordinary showcase was officially opened by Mrs. Sabina Higgins and promises visitors an immersive journey into the captivating world of Irish filmmaking, where the artistry and craftsmanship of costume design take centre stage.

In collaboration with The Irish Costume Archive Project (ICAP), the exhibition presents a meticulously curated selection of 18 costumes from legendary Irish film productions. From the stirring drama of "My Left Foot" to the epic tales of "Braveheart" and "Vikings," each costume on display encapsulates the essence of its respective film and the characters it represents, offering a unique insight into Ireland's rich cinematic heritage.

Co-founded by the esteemed Emmy-nominated costume designer Eimer Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh and the distinguished costume practitioner Veerle Dehaene, ICAP is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Ireland's unique contribution to costume design. Through their collaboration with the Museum of Style Icons, Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh and Dehaene bring to life the magic of Irish cinema, showcasing the talent and creativity of Irish costume designers.

"We are thrilled to present this exhibition, which pays homage to the exceptional artistry and creativity of Irish costume designers," says Eimer Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh. "Each costume tells a story and reflects the rich tapestry of Irish cinema. It is our privilege to share these treasures with audiences and to celebrate the legacy of Irish filmmaking and huge thanks to William Doyle the CEO of Newbridge Silverware and the Museum of Style Icons curator, Pauline Doyle for their collaboration. The Museum of Style Icons is a natural home for these costumes, and we hope visitors will really enjoy the displays."

Mrs. Sabina Higgins congratulated the team involved in the curation of the various exhibits and said that Ireland has a rich history of design and was internationally recognised for its creative talent.

The exhibition features an impressive array of costumes from a diverse range of productions, including the poignant drama of "The Banshees of Inisherin," the sweeping romance of "Far and Away," and the contemporary realism of "Normal People." Visitors will have the opportunity to marvel at costumes worn by acclaimed actors such as Helen Mirren and Oscar winner, Cillian Murphy, whose performances have left an indelible mark on Irish cinema.

Eimer Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh, renowned for her exceptional work in the film industry, has lent her expertise to numerous acclaimed productions, including “The Banshee’s of Inisherin”,? "The Wind that Shakes the Barley" and "Breakfast on Pluto." Her collaboration with Veerle Dehaene underscores the duo’s shared dedication to preserving Ireland's cinematic heritage.

Established in 2017, The Irish Costume Archive Project is committed to creating a comprehensive record of Ireland's film industry through the preservation and conservation of costumes worn by some of the nation's most esteemed actors. With support from production companies, costume designers, and private collectors, the archive serves as a testament to Ireland's vibrant and thriving film community.

"We are deeply passionate about preserving Ireland's cinematic heritage and celebrating the art of costume design," says Veerle Dehaene. "Through our collaboration with the Museum of Style Icons, we aim to inspire future generations of filmmakers and designers while offering audiences a unique insight into the creative process behind their favourite films."In addition to showcasing iconic costumes, the exhibition features a fascinating array of material, props, including original scripts, costume continuity books, and behind-the-scenes photographs, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of the creative journey from script to screen.

"We invite visitors to embark on a journey through the captivating world of Irish cinema," says William Doyle, CEO of Newbridge Silverware. "These costumes not only reflect the characters and narratives of our films but also celebrate the talent and craftsmanship of Irish costume designers. It is our honour to host this exhibition and to celebrate Ireland's rich cinematic heritage."

As Newbridge Silverware marks its 90th anniversary this year, the iconic Irish brand reflects on a legacy of elegance, innovation, and craftsmanship. Founded in 1934, Newbridge Silverware has evolved from its origins as a manufacturer of quality tableware to become one of the world’s leading lifestyle companies and premier jewellery brands. From its humble beginnings in a former army barracks in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, Newbridge Silverware has grown to become synonymous with timeless design and impeccable craftsmanship. Despite the many global challenges and economic booms and busts of the last century, the company has endured and thrived. This is due to its commitment to quality, the company’s ability to pivot, and its dynamic and creative approach over the past nine decades. At is very core is of course its appreciation of great design and exceptional craft.

Cutting-edge design and acclaimed photo shoots with supermodels such as Sophie Dahl, Yasmin le Bon, and Naomi Campbell also enhanced the company’s brand image. Another milestone for the company was the opening of the Museum of Style Icons in 2007, which is no home to one of the world’s greatest collections of style, fashion, and popular culture artefacts. The museum houses fashion collections and property that once belonged to some of the greatest style icons of all time, such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Grace, Princess Diana, the Beatles, and even contemporary actresses and fashionistas such as Kim Kardashian and January Jones of ‘Mad Men’.

The inception of the Museum of Style Icons at Newbridge Silverware traces back to a pivotal moment involving Audrey Hepburn's iconic little black dress from ‘Breakfast at Tiffany's’. In 2006, Newbridge Silverware CEO William Doyle, inspired by his wife Monica reading about an upcoming Christie's auction featuring the dress, seized the opportunity to acquire it. This decision marked the beginning of a remarkable collection that would grow to encompass costume and personal effects belonging to legends of fashion and entertainment.

Since then, the Museum of Style Icons has evolved into a celebrated institution, showcasing a wealth of fashion and entertainment history through both permanent and visiting exhibitions. Collaborating with renowned auction house Julien's Auctions, Newbridge Silverware regularly hosts some of the world's most famous pieces before they go under the auction hammer, providing visitors with a rare chance to view these iconic items up close.

One of the museum's most memorable exhibitions occurred in 2016, when Marilyn Monroe's legendary 'skin and beads' dress, worn during her iconic rendition of "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" for President John F. Kennedy, made its debut. Drawing thousands of visitors, this historic garment, on loan from Julien's Auctions, captivated audiences and ultimately sold for a record-breaking $4.8 million.

Another significant visit to the museum came from the Cobain family, including Francis Bean, daughter of Nirvana's Kurt Cobain, along with his mother, Wendy, and sister, Kim Cobain. Their presence added a rock 'n' roll dimension to the museum, allowing fans to connect with the legendary musician's legacy firsthand.

In 2019, the museum welcomed beloved actress and singer Olivia Newton-John, known for her role as Sandy in Grease who opened an exhibition dedicated to her unique style. Featuring some of her famous costumes, including the iconic black leather trousers from the film, the exhibition delighted fans and provided a glimpse into Newton-John's illustrious career.

Looking ahead - the museum continues to push boundaries with several exciting exhibitions coming to the Kildare visitor attraction in the coming months. For the next 7 days until the 8th of May only, visitors will have the chance to see one of John Lennon’s original guitars which was once thought lost and was found recently in an attic where it had lain for years.? It will be auctioned by auctioneers to the stars, Julien’s Auctions in LA.? One of U2’s Adam Clayton’s guitar will also be on display for one week too before both guitars go for auction by Julien’s Auctions.

The Iconic Costumes of the Irish Silver Screen Irish Costume in association with the Irish Archive Project exhibition opens at the Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge Silverware on May 1. Admission is free and the exhibition will run for one year. For more see ?newbridgesilverware.com and also www.icap.ie

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ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF STYLE ICONS:

Newbridge Silverware’s Visitor Centre in Newbridge, Co. Kildare is home to the Museum of Style Icons. The museum houses fashion collections and artefacts which once belonged to some of the greatest style icons of modern times such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Grace, Princess Diana, the Beatles and many more.

It all started with Audrey Hepburn’s famous little black dress, which came up for auction at Christie’s in 2006. Newbridge Silverware acquired it and it was bathed for a time in the limelight that continues to follow Hepburn and her classic chic look.

This dress was to be the first artefact in a collection of costume and personal effects belonging to legends from the world of fashion and entertainment, a collection which would become known and respected by collectors all over the world. It sparked an idea that leads to the creation of Newbridge Silverware’s next innovation - the Museum of Style Icons.

In 2006, CEO of Newbridge Silverware William Doyle was on holiday with his wife Monica who was reading a magazine article about an upcoming Christie’s auction which was to include the black Givenchy dress Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. This set in place a chain events that would lead to the building of the Newbridge Museum of Style Icons.

The acquisition of the Hepburn dress came to the attention of Beverly Hills-based Julien’s Auctions, the leading auction house of celebrity memorabilia. ?Executive Director of Julien’s, Martin J. Nolan originally from Athlone in Co. Westmeath, got in touch with Newbridge Silverware.Martin proposed that the auction house’s next lot – an incredible catalogue of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia – should go on pre-auction exhibition at the Newbridge Silverware Showrooms in Co. Kildare. It was clear that such a collection deserved a proper museum environment for the month-long exhibition.

With just two months to spare before the arrival of the exhibits, it was decided to build the now world-renowned, Museum of Style Icons (MOSI). This first exhibition was the beginning of a relationship between Julien’s Auction House and The Newbridge Silverware Company. Numerous pre-auction collections have been hosted in the Museum of Style Icons, including collections related to Madonna, Prince, Judy Garland and Princess Diana, among others.

Today the Museum of Style Icons hosts artefacts collected by a team of experts; fascinating items that once belonged to the most beautiful and talented women and men in the world. The bringing together of these rare collections has created one of the world’s most unique museums. It all started with fashion’s most enduring look; the little black dress. Princesses, icons of the silver screen and the top entertainers of the world are brought to life through photos, artefacts, garments, and accessories.

The Museum throws new light on the lives of the stars both in and out of the spotlight. It also reveals the critical role played by the photographers, fashion designers and costume makers in portraying the stars’ sense of style.

ABOUT THE IRISH COSTUME ARCHIVE PROJECT

ICAP was initiated to collect, preserve and exhibit Ireland's film and television design heritage and promote the collections by highlighting their importance as part of our national film culture. Currently, the collections consist of costumes form iconic Irish film dating back to the late 1980’s.

ABOUT EIMER NI MHAOLDOMHNAIGH

Eimer Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh has designed costumes for over 25 films in a career extending back to the early 1990s. Eimer has been nominated for an Emmy, numerous IFTAs, Broadcast Film Critics Association Award, Awards Circuit Community Awards, International Online Cinema Awards, Satellite Awards, Las Vegas, San Diego and Seattle Film Critics Awards. Eimer was a jury member of the 2019 European Film Academy Awards and since 2020, she has been a member of AMPAS. Eimer is a graduate of the Limerick School of Art and Design and the National College of Art in Dublin. Film work includes Martin Mc Donagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin, Foundation for Apple TV, The Rhythm Section, The Professor and the Madman, Love and Friendship, Jimmy’s Hall, Calvary, The Guard, Leap Year, Ondine, Brideshead Revisited, The Wind that Shakes the Barley, Becoming Jane, Breakfast on Pluto and In America. Eimer has worked with directors including Martin Mc Donagh, Colin Trevorrow, Reed Morano, Ken Loach, Neil Jordan, Jim Sheridan, Anand Tucker, John Michael Mc Donagh, Pete Travis and Julian Jarrold. Eimer has also designed for theatre including The Gate and The Abbey theatres in Dublin and styled numerous commercials. Television work includes Foundation, Little Women, The Fall, Omagh and Rebel Heart. Eimer helped to establish the costume department at IADT in Dublin and taught there for a number of years. She is currently spearheading the Irish Costume Archive Project.

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